Scrapyard Angels Act 1 Chapter 19
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Vi and spent our nights training. We trained relentlessly to get me up to shape to actually be of use. Yes I knew how to throw punches but what use was it when your opponent was like Vi or a Chemed up goon, a stupidly strong person with steel in their hands and an iron chin.
I had to get stronger while also leveraging what I already had. I had to build up on what I had, which was being light on my feet.
Vi wasn't exactly an expert at teaching as she was more of a kid who learned to fight in the streets but I threw suggestions from what I remembered. Drills to enforce muscle memories, basic exercise drills to tone the body and a lot of cardio
"Ok! Just five more laps around the tunnels!" Vi shouted as we ran laps deep in the service tunnels. The place was perfect for us. We could run laps in it and there were plenty of rooms where we could train. The only problem was it was quite close to the toxic river where I get most of my puffcaps
I breathed in deep as sweat dripped down my form. I already tossed aside my shirt to stop it from being soaked in sweat. I lost count of the laps we've done. It wasnt just running but also running over and ducking under obstacles. The yellowed bruises I had over my body was testament to the learning
It was more than worth it as lean muscle now stretched across my slight frame but compared to Vi, it wasn't quite there yet… or ever as it was already close to a month since we started. I still had hopes. There was also the sight of Vi in her under shirt. Even after weeks of getting used to Vi getting down to almost nude, I still couldn't help but stare and she knew it
"And stop staring at the Ark! We have later for that" I sputtered but didn't deny it.
"If I wasn't tired, I'd say something back!"
"Well if you can still talk, you certainly aren't yet. I think you're just speechless!" She gave her ass a spank. Damn she got me on that one
"Come on already! Just finished your run!" Jinx shouted as we passed by her. Jinx was nimble and made piecemeal with the obstacles Vi set up.
It took us a few more minutes before we finished. I walked around a bit to catch my breath while Vi toweled herself.
"First order of business! Lets get your punches polished" I groaned in response to Vi as she lifted up the lightly padded metal plate. It was originally part of a door but now it was our mitts.
I hesitated before until Jinx showed me how it's done. I really had to remind myself that Jinx had been sisters with Vi for longer than I've been sisters with her.
Jinx did not hesitate as she struck the padded metal. Her last three knuckles aligned perfectly to give that satisfying clang. Of course, I wrapped their hands just to try and minimize the damage but magic does wonders in healing from what I experienced. Arms, knees, elbows and feet, Jinx could throw a lot of them
I was up next and I tried to do my best. I stepped forward as I delivered my jab before pivoting my foot as I delivered my cross. I bobbed from the return fire before going back to a neutral position and repeating it.
My nights were spent like this, honing my body and hardening it. Vi didn't hold back as I felt new bruises in my hands when I had to block but it was getting fewer now as the old yellowed bruises outnumber the new black ones.
We had different drills and most importantly calisthenics. Vi actually knew a lot of them and she could just go on forever much to Jinx and my dismay. Vi had us beat in them
Of course, the day wouldn't be complete if we didn't have sparing. It was mostly mock, limiting the strikes to taps but it still was grueling. Vi was trained as a boxer, but boxing in Runeterra takes a more older approach, an approach that one could only watch in the black and white. I finally figured out why Vi's glove had a full set of fingers
"Jinx go easy on him! I don't want him to have a black eye, ok!" Vi shouted as I circled around Jinx. Jinx was younger, yes but she had more experience. Jinx jab before I grab her wrist and have her stumble to the direction I want.
Grappling was a thing and clinches were a matter of overpowering your opponent. Parrying was a lot easier when you can simply grab your opponent's wrist.
This of course infuriated Jinx as she started to give her punches a little more weight in them. I felt her tap hard against my rib as she tied my other hand up. She can give quite the push especially when she puts her knees into it but I had been training with her for the last few weeks and I spun her around when she tried to push me down.
"Break it up! More punching less hugging"
"Vi! I wasn't hugging him" Jinx shouted as we broke our clinch
"If I didn't know any better, I thought you were trying to steal him away!" Vi joked as I laughed out with her. Jinx stomped her feet before lashing out again.
While I was getting hurt, all this banter we had and the time we spent together was something I couldn't quite deny. I really like spending time with them.
We spent hours there but eventually we had to stop. We didn't have to spend the night being sweaty however as we could gather water to our hearts content. Who knew having a guard Plague rat helped us get cleaner of all things
We shared our baths together. Technically, Jinx went first before Vi and I helped each other but it was more or less together. Hormones were taking over but we still were a bit shy with each other. Jinx and a lot of cold water helped dampen the mood.
I lathered Jinx hair, which now reached past her back, while Vi did mine.
"I don't get it, why do you two grow your hair so long? Jinx is letting her hair grow even after I taught her better" Vi complained as she was down to her shorts and chest wrappings. I was down to my shorts while Jinx was much like Vi
"Well, it looks good doesn't it, Jinx?" I asked
"Yeah, you should really get your hair longer. I look like one of those fancy Pilties now! Look at me I'm rich and important" Jinx shouted as she tilted up her head and sound all snobby and mocking
Vi chuckled "That's exactly what I'm afraid of. It does look good on both of you"
"Hey Jinx, can I braid your hair? Maybe it'll catch less often on things if we had braided" I asked. Jinx was just getting used to having such long hair. She had it free flowing while I had it in a hair tie.
"Hmmm, sure. So long as you do it!" Jinx agreed.
After Vi and I were finished giving Jinx a bath, we were quick to give each other a cold bath.
"Hey Ark, you've been doing ok now for the last few days. You aren't stumbling as often and you can actually catch Jinx's hands. Maybe you're ready for an actual street fight" Vi said as we faced away from each other. Drying off can be awkward at times but we make due.
"Do I really have to?"
"Come on, it's just a fight. Plus, it'll give you some street cred!"
"I don't know…" The last fight I had didn't go so well exactly. Partly why I just want to run away at times
"Don't you want to punch a smug son of a bitch?" Vi was making a good argument
"I'll give you a reward if you win, anything" Vi was really making it hard to resist
"Ok, ok, I give. Why do you want me to get involved in a fight anyways?" I asked
"Well I want to show everybody that my boyfriend is not a pushover." Vi replied. I heard her stand up and walked closer. Feeling her hands wrap around my form, she traced her hands across my chest before she said "Plus I kinda want to show you off"
I snorted at that before we pulled away from each other before things became steamy.
We didn't really want to rush into things and the slow burn we had going was more than enough for both of us. We soon cuddled up in bed together with Jinx intent to sleep away from us but I will have the last laugh
"Hey Jinx, do you want to hear a story?" I asked. Jinx ears twitched and I knew I got her there
"I told you I'm all grown up! I've heard Frodo's story ten times already!"
"It was your favorite story after all" I still remember how she cheered when the one ring was thrown into the fire. It was a shame I didn't memorize the dark speech version of the one ring she didn't like the One Ring and how creepy it was
"But thats young Jinx story and we all know only babies like stories" she claimed
"Oh well then, shame I really wanted to tell you a new story" there was a pause between as while Vi held back her laughter
"But it looks like you're all grown up so you wouldn't like to hear the gripping tale of adventure, betrayal and bloodshed. Its even set in the vast skies above!"
It didn't take long before Jinx broke as she got up and sat on top of both of us.
"Didn't you say you dont want to hear my story?" Her pouty face was all to precious
She mumbled something but I couldn't quite hear it. "Come again?"
"I said I want to hear your story!" Vi laughed at that point causing Jinx to blush from neck to ear.
"Ok, this might take a while so why don't you sit down between us while I tell you a story" Vi and I scooted apart while Jinx plopped down between us
"In a galaxy far far away…" and so I told the tales of a young slave boy from Tatooine and his journey. It wasn't long before Jinx fell asleep as she laid down in between us. She got all pouty about that but she always did came back to listen for more
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"Vi, I take back what I said yesterday" I whispered as we stared at the target Vi was thinking about fighting. We were hiding behind an exposed pipe while my target and his friends were just hanging about and chatting with each other
It was my old nemesis Damon. I've run into him several times since Vi gave him a beating and our hatred for each other only grew. I became more wary of him just because he might pull off what he did last time so I made sure to not to encounter him if possible. So far, its been working but now Vi wants me to intentionally go up to him and fight him
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"He's right around your level Ark. I decked him with one punch, you can do that too" Vi whispered back
"One, your… you. You punch harder than anyone I know. Two, I'm smaller than him and three he has friends"
"Well you have me and what did I teach you?"
I sighed as I recited it out "Initiate, Isolate, Incapacitate, and then escape"
"That….sounds way better when you said it but yeah, just fight him one on one and I'll have your back when we're bailing it ok?"
"Ok" I psyched myself and Vi's kiss to my cheeks only hardened my resolve.
"Go get them tiger!" Vi whispered as she pushed me into the fray. I can do this, I can do this!
"Hey fuck face! Yeah that's right dumbass, I'm talking to you" First step initiate. Call their attention, make yourself known. It makes it so your back up doesn't get noticed.
That got their attention real quick as they stared at me with confusion before it morphed into anger. Ah, they did remember. How touching.
"Look who's talking. You have a lot of guts showing up here after your stunt" Damon growled out as his goons started pulling out their pipes and shivs
"I can say the same to you. Didn't you know, get your ass handed to you?" I asked as I confidently strode forward. In truth, I was scared but I was already swept up in the moment. There was also the heavy feeling in my back that reassured me that I had a way to bail out if things get hairy
"Piss off! You had your girlfriend to hide behind back then. What? Broke up already?"
"Nah, we're still together and pots calling the kettle over here. Don't you have a harem behind you?"
Damon looked confused as he turned around before he fumed as he faced back at me. His posse snickered as they cat called Damon making him even more furious
"Well that's enough chit chat and let me get to the point. Why don't we settle our hate for each other in a friendly fight? One on one, let our fist do the talking" that got him laughing as he gestured at my arms
"You and me, with your noodly arms? Don't make me laugh. Why don't you call your girlfriend to make things even huh?"
"What, you scared Damon?" I asked as I pulled my inner Jinx, mocking him
"Your real-"
"Oh look at me, I'm Damon! I'm scared of little old Ark! Bok bok bok!" I was pulling my childish taunts, strutting about while miming a chicken. Why wouldn't I when it was more than enough to rile up Damon. He gave his weapon to one of his friends before marching up to me. He took the bait, he was now Isolated
He pulled up his right sleeves to show off his meaty arms as I got ready for a fight. It was now show time. I allowed him to throw the first shot, a nasty look if I couldn't see it from a mile away. He had loaded it up just as he was getting near giving me time to think. I ducked low, leaning to his right and stepping to his side before twisting my hips firing back a hook of my own.
I let go of my fist and gave him a thundering left hook to the ribs right where the liver should be. I backed away, bouncing on my feet as he doubled over. With his arms down, I fired back once more and gave him a right hook just as his chin was right at eye level. Feeling his jaw move just as my fist meets his mouth was so satisfying
He crumpled to the ground groaning and coughing out in pain. It was quick and painful just like all street fights. I was surprised he was still awake but that was my cue to back away and book
"Peace!" I flipped a bird at them just as they ran after me
"Fuck yeah!" Vi cheered as she ran with me and gave me a high five. I laughed out loud as the rush of the fight was intoxicating. I honestly felt like I could take on the world right now
"I kinda want to fight those guys but it's way too risky. I don't want to break my hands in their faces!" I shouted as we made a turn on the sidewalks of the street ahead.
Vi nodded as shouted back "There's nothing wrong with this!"
We led them on a merry chase, making fun of them as they stumbled against surprised passerbys but there were many and we were only two. Their group simply couldn't keep up with both of us and soon we escaped through one of the many manholes dotring Zaun
I couldn't help but laugh.as we sat there celebrating. "Damn that was good! I would have gone for the nose but that works and you should have seen his face!" Vi cheered as he slapped my back.
"Yeah, he was way slower than Jinx!"
"Told you you can do it!"
"Yeah" I slumped against the walls of the service tunnel as the high finally died down.
We sat there resting for a while in silence before I turned to her and asked. "So… about that reward"
Vi blushed as she turned towards me "Yeah?"
"I know what I want" I leaned close to Vi before whispering to her ears "I want another kiss"
"Of all the things you could have asked" She broke into a smile as our lips met once more. We held each there, secreted away from the chaos from above the ground with only the two of us to enjoy this moment. I couldn't get enough of her. I don't I'll ever be the same if I lose her.
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While I spent most of my days underground, the sky always called to me. I couldn't stay away for too long. I wanted to go back and maybe even touch the clouds beyond the smog of Zaun.
Vi and Jinx were always there in my test runs, encouraging and supporting me every step of the way as well curtailing any bad ideas I might have. Hearing Jinx encourage me to do something crazy does put things into perspective real quick
"Ok, I think we covered everything so far that we can think of. We tested how much I could carry and it turns out I can carry two Jinx and how high I could fly off the ground which turns out to be pretty high and we haven't even reached the ceiling yet. We also tested out how fast I could go and how long I could last" I shuddered at the last test. It was boring just hanging there and Floofington took satisfaction in myself being the balloon for once.
"Sounds about right. Jinx, got anything?" Vi asked as he turned at Jinx who decided to bring a crate to sit down on especially with how boring some tests were.
"Hmmm, well we could try checking how much of your wing needs to be functional before you start falling," Jinx replied.
"We… did that with Floofington." Floofington hissed at the reminder.
"Well that settles it. I think it's time I take this out on a test run!" I said excitedly as I walked close to the edge
"Your mask?" Vi reminded me as she held the full on gas mask. I would be getting close to the smug so best that I have both lung and eye protection.
"Right" I unstrapped my mask before wearing the gas mask. I kinda look like a bird man now with the large stylized beak hiding the breathing apparatus.
"I'll be sure to do a backflip this time, Jinx" I said as I got closer to the edge once more. Jinx whooped out as Vi rolled her eyes at our antics
I was fully clothed to keep myself warm as well as well protected as I had some basic "armor" to protect my soft bits in case I landed. I looked silly with my knee and elbow pads along with the various belts strapping myself to my backpack.
I checked the crystal, taking comfort in its glow before hiding it behind a simple cover. I had upgraded my belt so the parts are less noticeable and the crystal can be hidden from view. I wouldn't want people thinking that I stole something and that I was worth hunting because of that.
"Don't touch the sun alright? I don't want you to go all Icarus on us" Vi replied, reminding me of a story I told them. I didn't intend to be stupid about this. I didn't have a gas tank on so I might pass out if I get to high
"I won't. Hey Jinx, can you tell me something I could shout while I dive down?" I bent down close to the edge as if I was diving from atop of the diving board. My wings extended and I could already feel a bit lighter as the pack tugged up from behind me.
"Jinx is the most beautiful there is!" Vi gave her a rap
I grinned as I dove down, the wind rushing in my face as my wings stretched out wide while I flipped in the air "Jinx is the most beautiful after Vi!"
I could hear Jinx squawk in protest as I flew upwards, passing them as I rapidly climbed up
"That is totally false! Slander!" Jinx shouted as they rapidly shrink as I flew in the cliffs of Zauns.
People shouted in surprise as I wove through the bridges, mindful of my speed less I became a pancake against the steel structure.
Without a more traditional means of propulsion, I was as silent as an owl as I glided through the air with ease. My wings are merely decorative in nature rather than a means to fly. They pointed up at me and thankfully they didn't raise their arms as I passed over head.l
I tucked my wings closer as I passed through narrow spaces, while spreading them wide as I circled around the buildings of Zaun. I flew around to my heart's content
I took one last look down below, taking a good look at the city of Zaun while I skimmed through the underside of the fog above. Past all the darkness and suffering in it, the place had a certain allure to it with its chaotic structures of glass and steel. There was no rhyme or reason to it all and it's what makes every last thing in Zaun so unique, almost beautiful even.
Everything stood out, even the people with the loud and brightly colored clothes. The city and its people called out, hey I'm here and this is what I am, what are you going to do about it? I was kinda glad I grew up here because is there really a place like this anywhere else?
I looked up in the fog. Maybe there was something like Zaun if only a bit brighter. I dipped down, building up momentum before heading straight up. I shot through the clouds and straight up the Promenade. Maybe a look up above could show me what Piltover is all about